Decker elected mayor, sets agenda for his term

Kelly Decker, once a Port Jervis policeman walking a beat, now a middle school social studies teacher and councilman-at-large, will be Port Jervis mayor in January.

Jessica Cohen

Kelly Decker, once a Port Jervis policeman walking a beat, now a middle school social studies teacher and councilman-at-large, will be Port Jervis mayor in January.

His first mission will be to upgrade Port Jervis communications by working on the "information highway," he said Tuesday night while communing with fellow Democrats, supporters and family at the VFW center on Owen Street, as votes were tallied and he took a 300-plus lead over incumbent Mayor Russ Potter.

"We'll revamp the Port Jervis Web page, so people get email and text message alerts about what's happening in the city," he said. "We'll encourage people to come to meetings and speak their mind. And we can bring social media suggestions back to council."

Promoting recreation projects, such as the whitewater park, and tourism events, such as the new upcoming Kris Kringle celebration, is also high on his list.

As for broader goals, he said, "I'll sit down with new electees and ask them each to give me one goal to work on. We'll engage people in the process. We'll grab people from the public and say, 'We need to get this done.'"

Two years ago, he had suggested that the city restore and sell properties that had fallen to city ownership — a strategy Middletown is now pursuing through its new Community Development Agency. Asked about that possibility, he said, "I want to see homeowner-occupied housing. It will help the city, the schools and the

hospital. We'll have a roundtable discussion."

"We'll be looking at making the CDA viable," said Robert Ritchie, CDA chairman, who was re-elected in the 3rd Ward. "We may move Section 8 housing administration to the Port Jervis housing authority, so the CDA director can concentrate on grant-writing."

Ritchie said he wants to encourage new events in the city, such as this year's longboard race and remote-control car racing. He and Decker recalled how the Cruising Port Jervis monthly event, with new and old spiffy cars accompanied by music from the 1960s and '70s, began small and grew.

David Bavoso, newly elected councilman-at-large — whose birthday was on Election Day — also has his attention on the CDA.

"I want to work with the CDA to foster a citywide environment of sustained business growth," he said. "Not just a business popping up here and there, waiting for them to come to us. We'll go out to existing and potential businesses."

Councilman Stan Siegel, re-elected in the 4th Ward, said he was looking forward to getting Pike Plaza "up and running," as Ellicott Development Co. has recently begun restoring it.

"That will help redevelop the city," he said. "And I'd like to expand West End Beach for recreation, picnicking and canoeing."

Considering the election turnout, he noted voter discouragement and resignation in the wake of the federal budget turmoil. "Our ward had a lower turnout than most nonpresidential elections, but better than expected," he said.

Carol Decker said her son Kelly will likely pursue the agenda of his father, the late former Mayor Ross Decker, improving the image and appeal of Port Jervis. She wore a T-shirt emblazoned "Port Jervis First," Ross' logo.

"Kelly's all about the arts," said Wendy Nellums. She said her son, now 14, loves to dance but was inhibited by mockery from his peers. "But Kelly told him, 'You've got to dance.' Now he dances five days a week, ballet and tap. He wouldn't have if it wasn't for Kelly's influence. He had the same influence on other kids in town."

Decker's last police assignment was as school resource officer.

As for handling his current job as Port Jervis Middle School teacher and coach along with being mayor, his wife Jill said, "He's always handled everything. He's got it."